Yeah definitely, but on the other hand... When I went out there for the wedding I flew Emirates and it was about £800, on the way back I allowed enough time for a night in a hotel in Dubai at the Millenium and it cost around £80 for a 4* (and 4* in Dubai is pretty good!) and I have to say everything was superb, leg room excellent, service excellent, hotel excellent, and Dubai airport is a dream to get through - from gate to hotel room was less than an hour, not bad going for an airport!
Are there no international flights from Douglas? If not, that must be the only regional airport not served by KLM CityHopper. Several advantages for flying via Schipol including decent duty free shopping (cheaper than UK), KLM lounges with free food, drink and WiFi and the simple fact that you're arriving back in the UK from within the EU meaning an easier and quicker exit through Customs (no actual Customs officers on duty when KLM's flights arrive in Cardiff, just an "honesty phone"!). KLM's stop in Taipei is no major drama and although, in theory, each stop could last for 3 hours, in practice all they do is fuel the plane; we departed Taipei less than one hour after we arrived - and was promptly served a second dinner!
Im confused now - out of curiosity I went back and checked the bill for my hotel in Dubai - 135AED, whats that in £s?
None. Possibly some to Dublin, not sure, would need to check. Yes. I like Schipol. I flew there to meet my wife when she flew there from Manila. To do that I flew I of Man, Manchester, Schipol
Only for those of us with a KLM/AF Flying Blue Gold card / Skyteam Elite Plus status or above, or Business class of course. Don't push it on that front. Leeds Bradford is another airport with an "honesty phone" and no customs officers, but I was once targeted by a spot inspection team when I arrived back. Nobody else was chosen, just me. Intensive interrogation, empty my bags, loads of questions and form filling by an official. Finally I cracked, "look, cut out the crap questions, the pubs close in an hour and I have had no real ale for two months". I knew instantly that he understood me, he even let me keep the pork scratchings (chicharon).
The mid rate today is 1 AED = £0.162297 so your room cost £21.91 which, for Dubai, is exceedingly good value for money.
Thats exactly what I got - believe me, I would have rated it 5* if I had been asked the question! It cost me 30AED for the taxi to the airport which was only a couple of minutes away. Actually my bar bill was nearly twice the room bill
Indeed! Just in case anyone was thinking I ended the evening completely rissoled, I had 3 beers and a scotch thats alll!
OK, I see now. The 20 is for room charges only, not for the room. You must have had a separate bill for the room, perhaps paid for in advance.
Nope - the charges are in Dirham, room charges 20AED = £3.30 - total charge on my credit card bill 291AED which including transaction charges is £48 (that includes the drinks!)
Personally from now on its my intention only fly the wife and me on Emirates. We just to fly KLM but after travelling emirates for a while now there is just no going back, plus I get into the lounge at Dubai which is nice. I prefer to spend the couple hundred extra to be comfortable for the flight. At 6" 4 and fairly broad its important to me.
I'm flying with them in two weeks time direct to Manila, I have always gone with KLM but the wait in Amsterdam has been 10 hours. I will let you know how the flight is.
